The U.S.-backed fighters in Syria are ready to finish off the last remnants of the Islamic State after a two-month “operational pause” that was prompted by a Turkish offensive against Kurds in the northwest border region.
Many of the fighters who left the front lines in the east to fight the Turks in February and March have returned to restart the stalled offensive against ISIS, U.S. military officials say.
“The Coalition affirms its support and confidence in the Syrian Democratic Forces as they commence operations to clear the final ISIS territories in northeast Syria,” said a statement issued by Operation Inherent Resolve, the official name of the U.S.-led coalition.
“The SDF will return to offensive operations against ISIS in the Middle Euphrates River Valley,” the statement said.
The U.S. says there are two remaining pockets of ISIS control, and that ISIS retains a significant presence near the Iraqi border.
“Over the coming weeks, our heroic forces will liberate these areas, secure the Iraq-Syria border, and end the presence of ISIS in eastern Syria once and for all,” said a spokesperson for SDF military commander Ahmad Abu Khawlah in a press release.
During the pause, the U.S. has been preventing the ISIS pockets from gaining territory by constant bombing over the past two months.
“We continue to stand alongside our partners and ensure the liberation of all terrain held by ISIS terrorists,” said Maj. Gen. James Jarrard, commanding general of the Special Operations Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve, in the release.
